Curly Hair, Don’t Care

So I’m a curly haired girl <insert cheering crowds> I have loved my curls for most of my life but i have realized recently that I haven’t shown them much love for a while. Since moving to Saudi Arabia almost three years ago, I took the opportunity to cut out the heat- no blow drying or flat irons while in Saudi at all. This, as it turns out, is really not enough.

Over the last few weeks I have been noticing that my hair is dry and getting weaker and after some ‘reading’- my form of research these days turns out to be days on youtube- I realized just how little I know about my hair. Forgive my ignorance here but I knew nothing about protein/moisture balance, curly hair classification, porosity or pH! …. and this is just the beginning for me. After a couple of videos, out came my trusty notebook.

I have decided to start taking the time to seriously educate myself about taking extra care of these curls of mine with a more consistent regimen that will address the weakened strand as well as define the curl and eliminate that frizz! So far what I have learned in a nutshell is:

Hair porosity is so crucial and determines what products you use and how you should style your hair. It is the ability of your hair to absorb and retain hydration and can be determined through certain home tests. I found a website by SheaMoisture dedicated to this. There is a quiz you can complete to find out what your porosity is. You are then directed to the products best suited to your hair. Two great you tubers to follow are Afro Khadisiac (for high porosity hair) and BianceReneeToday (for low porosity hair).

Protein content and moisture content was another big one for me. Maintaining both is important to keep your curls strong and bouncy. This includes ensuring that you don’t overdo it either! Having too much moisture or protein can be just as damaging.

Just like our skin, maintaining the pH of our hair is important to keep it strong. This means using products that work at the same 4-7 pH of our hair. Apple cider vinegar rinse is one of the tricks that clarifies the hair and restores pH. BiancaReneeToday does a quick and informative demonstration on this.

This is what I have learned just for today and my mind is blown with all the things I should have been doing, but haven’t. I ran over to the store the minute I got home, so armed with my Apple Cider Vinegar (currently soaking in my tresses as I type this) and Olive oil, I begin tonight!

As I learn more and figure out my own routine I will update you and pass on the knowledge, but for now I’m gonna rinse this ACV out and get on with tonight’s hair pampering.

Where are you in your hair journey? Do you have any tips and tricks for me?

ps. #photocred goes to tallncurly who has the most amazing blog and publishes the most relatable curly girl comics I have seen